The Life And Death Of Edward Carr
Gospel Standard 1920:
On Jan. 10, 1920, Edward Carr, pastor of Providence Chapel, Bath, entered into rest.
The removal by death of my late beloved husband came most mercifully. He had got out of bed about 12.30, and fallen asleep in his chair about 12.50 his head drooped, his spirit had fled. He was sitting with hands clasped, as was usual when he slept in his chair, and looking most peaceful, all the weariness gone, and a little smile around his eyes. I do not propose to give an account of my husband’s life, as the earlier part was written by himself in the ” Chronicles of a Chequered Pathway,”* and many, especially in Manchester and London, will have the memory of his sermons fresh in their minds. His illness really commenced in February of last year, from spasmodic asthma, but after treatment he seemed rather better by the middle of March, and started on his usual preaching tour in and near London; but after preaching the first Sunday at Gower St. Memorial Chapel, he had a bad attack, and again on Tuesday evening, so that he could not take the service. He returned home, and on medical examination it was found that his heart was much enlarged. During that illness he was calm and comfortably resigned to God’s will, and often quoted,
“All must come, and last, and end,
As shall please our heavenly Friend;”
and would say, “What pleases Him ought to please us.” He preached at home during August, and two Sundays in Sept., and at Gower St. Mem. Chapel on the two last Sundays in Sept., but was very poorly indeed whilst in London. After returning home he preached on two Sundays and two week evenings, his last text being Psalm 86:10. After that evening he had a serious relapse, from which he never recovered. He was sometimes depressed, fearing he might become a useless invalid; also remembering the low state of the church generally, and the apparent apathy of many professing Christians; and his desire was to again sound the gospel trumpet, if God’s will. He gradually became weaker, but never kept his bed. He could not rest long in a recumbent position, and even to the last day managed (though with much difficulty) to walk to the study. He was always very thankful not to have acute pain. He conducted family prayer on that last night, but it seemed painful for him to pronounce the words. Even though our dear one’s illness was long and serious, we did not anticipate the end so soon. But God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. May He help us to bow to His Will.
E. A. Carr
Edward Carr (1851-1920) was a Strict and Particular Baptist Preacher. He grew up under the gospel ministry of James Wells, his father serving as a deacon of the church meeting at Surrey Tabernacle, Borough Road. His first two pastorates were with the churches meeting at Sleaford and Leicester. His last pastorate was with the church meeting at Providence Chapel, Bath, a position he held for twenty-seven years (1893-1920).
